OUC students are rooted in many professions, police officers, diligent industrial workers, rural entrepreneurs leading villagers to prosperity, healthcare workers guarding lives, border defence soldiers, and courageous individuals overcoming disabilities, to name just a few. The "Honour Rolls" series brings you closer to outstanding students, showcasing their excellence and the spirit of perseverance.

MAO Weimin, a member of the Communist Party of China, is a student in the Fall 2023 Model Worker (Craftsman) Administrative Management undergraduate programme at Fujian Open University and a recipient of the 2024 OUC Scholarship. He currently serves as Senior Technician at the Forest Resource Management and Policy & Regulation Division of Fuzhou Municipal Forestry Bureau. He has been honoured with titles including "National May 1st Labour Medal," "National Most Beautiful Green Ecology Worker," "Fujian Provincial May 1st Labour Medal," "Fuzhou Moral Model," and "Most Beautiful Veteran."

37 Years on Duty: Shouldering the Mission with Iron Resolve, Guarding Green Mountains and Clear Waters

"As a Party member and a forestry law enforcement officer, my original aspiration and mission are to protect every piece of forest and every wild animal and plant." This is MAO’s often‑repeated belief, and for 37 years, it has been his guiding principle.

Since joining grassroots forestry law enforcement, MAO has always held fast to the front line of combating forestry-related illegal activities. He stands fearless against those who damage forest resources, matching wits and courage with offenders. Over 37 years, he has handled more than 1,800 cases of illegal timber transportation and investigated over 330 cases of illegal wildlife trade and illegal occupation of forest land, recovering more than 19 million yuan (approx. $2.7 million USD) in economic losses for the state. Behind this impressive record lies his day-after-day persistence and dedication—a vivid example of the principle that "green mountains and clear waters are mountains of gold and silver."

Professionally, MAO continuously strengthens theoretical and business learning, carefully summarizing his case-handling experience. Several of his professional papers on administrative law enforcement have been published in national-level CN journals, providing valuable practical references for forestry law enforcement work nationwide.

Even while suffering from multiple illnesses, MAO has always remained on the front line. In 2023, when the third round of the Central Ecological and Environmental Protection Inspection Team was stationed in Fuzhou, he voluntarily gave up rest time to fully devote himself to special operations. This spirit of "sacrificing the small family for the greater community" makes the "model worker spirit" shine brightly on the law enforcement front line.

Never Stopping on the Path of Public Welfare: Warming Hearts with Love, Spreading Human Warmth

MAO is not only a "tough guy" on the law enforcement front line but also a "warm man" on the path of public welfare. Through small but consistent actions, he brings light and warmth to those in need.

In May 2001, responding to the Fujian Provincial Women's Federation and Provincial Children's Foundation initiative of "helping out-of-school girls return to campus," MAO resolutely committed to sponsoring two impoverished girls at Tongling Third Primary School in Dongshan County, Zhangzhou City. He not only sent tuition and living materials on time every year but also provided meticulous spiritual encouragement and care through phone calls, letters, and home visits, accompanying them all the way from primary school to university graduation. This profound guardianship spanning over two decades allowed two girls in difficult circumstances to pursue their dreams and rewrite their life trajectories.

As Vice President of the Fuzhou Veterans Care Association Lecture Team, since joining the association in 2023, MAO has consistently promoted the spirit of volunteer service and played an exemplary role as a veteran. Starting in 2024, for three consecutive years during the Spring Festival, he visited and comforted over 90 family members of martyrs, disabled and veterans in need, and veterans who participated in wars, bringing them warmth and respect. In recent years, he has also actively participated in volunteer services for sending off new recruits and welcoming returning veterans. He has been awarded the honorary titles of "2023 Ambassador for Veteran Care " and "2024 Figure of the Year for Warming Veterans' Hearts."

Returning to Campus in Pursuit of Knowledge: Practicing Original Aspiration Through Lifelong Learning, Empowering a New Journey of Endeavour

Despite having achieved outstanding accomplishments in his position, MAO still harbours a thirst for knowledge and stepped onto the campus of Fujian Open University, becoming a student in the Fall 2023 Model Worker (Craftsman) Public Administration undergraduate programme.

During his time at Fujian Open University, MAO cherished this hard-won opportunity to study. In class, he listened attentively to teachers' explanations and actively participated in group discussions. After class, he proactively consulted materials and learned from his classmates. The university's rich learning resources and open, inclusive learning atmosphere not only fulfilled his university dream but also systematically elevated his knowledge level and professional capabilities.

MAO said that what he has learned and realized on campus is continuously transforming into new momentum for his work and public welfare endeavuors, allowing him to address challenges and serve society from a more professional perspective.

Today, MAO continues to persistently hold fast on the forestry law enforcement front line, keeps moving forward on the path of public welfare, and strives to be among the best on the journey of learning. This spirit of practicing mission with original aspiration, warming the world with dedication, and empowering a new journey through lifelong learning will surely inspire more people to move forward steadfastly in their own positions, contributing to social development and the construction of ecological civilisation.

By OUC

Published: 17 April 2026